Information management — the convergence of professions

Abstract

With the changes in information technology affecting organizations and with the increasingly high profile of information as a valuable resource, there have been significant changes in the role of information personnel. Information management has demanded the convergence of a range of skills previously the domain of specialists. The modern information manager requires knowledge and skills in information analysis, information sources, information storage and retrieval, information technology, systems analysis and strategic management. By examining recent literature in information management, evidence of demand for information professionals and by analysing recently advertised posts in healthcare information management, this article seeks to prove that information management can be seen as the convergence of several previously distinct professions such as computer management, systems analysis, information science, librarianship and management.